Making A Difference For You, Inc.
Making A Difference One Person At A Time
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
We believe the services and resources we offer will empower our community members to make a significant contribution to society. The commitment to empowering- our community through educational and technological resources is essential for giving our community members the knowledge and skills they need to succeed. Enable community members to further their professional, academic, and personal endeavors through technology and educational services. Provide life enrichment services to low-income and ‘fringe’ populations. That is – providing the tools for success – using computer literacy and study skills as the catalyst– to equip those who otherwise might not have access. To demonstrate that student achievement can be reversed and that all students can master academic standards if given time, support, and instruction that focuses on their educational needs. To demonstrate student achievement and motivation for learning will increase.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Personal Computer, and Email
Making a Difference for You offers free personalized computer training to seniors and the general public. Each individual has the opportunity to learn what they want. Our lessons demonstrate the value of using personal computers (PCs) and developing computer familiarity and fluency.
Some of our instructions include teaching: The parts of a computer system, How to turn on a computer, How to start programs; The function of the keyboard; How to use a mouse; How to shut down a computer in the proper sequence.; Page Break; Text Box.
Create a Google Gmail account; Compose an email; Send an email; Forward an email; Sign out of Gmail. Sign in to Gmail.
Microsoft Office Training (Windows, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.)
Our Microsoft Windows and Office training program add to our clientele’s fundamental understanding of computer systems. In teaching Microsoft Office, we enable our constituent’s abilities to use these widely used programs to further their pursuits for employment and enrichment.
The office suite includes Word, a word-processing program; Excel, a financial spreadsheet program; Access, a database program; Publisher, for desktop publishing; PowerPoint, a program for creating presentations; Outlook, a program for email and scheduling; OneNote, to keep your notes organized.
Internet training (Bootcamp)
With our internet training program, we provide an understanding of basic internet terminology and principles, how to open and use browser applications, and various strategies for employing search engines.
Explain what the Internet is; Describe what a website is; Explain what a web page is; Describe what a hyperlink is; Explain what a search engine is; Find information on the Internet using a search engine.
Individuals can also learn how to create and maintain a basic HTML page, such as a blog or professional website.
Managing Money Accounting and Finance Training
The MAD4YU money management and finance training program provide personalized consultation and guidance that helps low-income individuals develop financial goals and the means for attaining these goals.
This effort folds into many other programs; for example, many individuals learn to use Excel when creating their first personal budget. Along the way, our counselors provide suggestions to build self-control and self-belief while helping them set saving plans which benefit these low-income individuals.
Homework Assistance and Tutoring Programs
Thanks to increased volunteers and interested students, our program now provides free tutoring services to improve the students' skills in core subjects. Tutors assist students of all ages with completing and understanding their homework assignments. Our volunteers who come in regularly develop progress plans for the students with whom they work every week. Individuals will get the personalized and supportive attention needed to help them strengthen in areas of weakness.
Our volunteers are very qualified college students with numerous majors, high and middle school honor students, and professionals from various backgrounds.
We tutor students in elementary, middle, high school, and beyond in Math, Science, English, Social Studies/World History, Foreign Languages, and More.
Our assistance is comprehensive. Your child can attend for as long as they feel the need. Our tutoring sessions are open to all age groups, including adults and active elders. Our program runs Monday – Sunday.
Resume Preparation and Online Job Search Program
Our free resume preparation program demonstrates resume guidelines, providing individuals with several resume styles and covering what topics and skillsets are addressed and marketed.
The primary marketing goal of a resume is to get an interview, present your strengths and benefits,
demonstrate what you can do, link your skills and experience to the employer’s needs, and answer the question:
Why Should the employer hire you?
Don’t forget your employment search is also an opportunity for you to see your value in your career field and an opportunity to evaluate other employers in the market for great people to hire. Whether you are looking to begin or advance your career, don’t forget that you have value!
Free and Personalized Services & Programs
Making A Difference For You (MAD4YU) is a Virginia-based 501 (c) (3) organization providing life enrichment services to under-resourced and ‘fringe’ populations. The name reflects its purpose: making a difference for you. That is – providing tools for success - using computer literacy and study skills as the catalyst - to those who otherwise might not have access. The acronym MAD4YU signifies the passion and unwavering commitment towards accomplishing that objective: MAD and motivated enough to provide life enrichment services and programs For You, utilizing ‘MAD-ly’ committed, talented change agents.
MAD4YU’s service users include non-mainstream Richmond Virginians struggling with job readiness, faltering grades, and aging - with limited access to tools needed to live a fulfilling and productive life. These citizens come from diverse backgrounds: elderly, youth, homeless, Veterans, immigrants, single-parent, economically disadvantaged, learners who process differently.
Making a Difference for You virtual/digitized GoSchoolBox
Online Lesson Space Host tutoring sessions in-person or online! Free access to our virtual whiteboard, text editor, code editor & video chat, or integrate with your own video-chat provider.
Scheduling & Reminders – Save time by setting automated text and email reminders for students.
Messaging & Notifications – Secure in-app messaging so you never have to share personal phone numbers or emails.
Data & Analytics – Automated summarized reports to track tutoring activity between students.
Monitoring – Full transparency for administrators to see session details, student progress, and even video playback.
Tutor Vetting & Onboarding – Onboard tutors to your system with one click through your administrator’s panel.
Where we work
Awards
Positively Richmond 2017
WRIC
Acts of Kindness 2017
WWBT
Hometown Heroes 2019
Allen & Allen
ConnectVA Spotlight 2019
ConnectVA
Giving Back: Spotlight on Generosity 2019
Boomer Magazine
Affiliations & memberships
ConnectRichmond 2015
The Community Foundations of Virginia 2015
HandsOn Greater Richmond 2015
Partnership for Families - Northside 2016
Partnership for Nonprofit Excellence 2015
Techsoup 2014
The National Christina Foundation 2014
ConnectVA 2015
211 Virginia 2016
Senior Connections 2017
Senior Navigator 2017
Bridge to Well Being 2017
Literacy Lab 2017
External reviews

Photos
Videos
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Number of people on the organization's email list
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Children and youth, Families, Adults, Multiracial people, Single parents
Related Program
Homework Assistance and Tutoring Programs
Type of Metric
Input - describing resources we use
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Re-opened, Re-Building, Re-Imaging! Our office re-opened October 8, 2022 Gmail and Outlook email distribution using Mailchimp.
Number of volunteers who become donors
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Children and youth, Adults, Families, Multiracial people, Parents
Related Program
Homework Assistance and Tutoring Programs
Type of Metric
Input - describing resources we use
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
Decrease 2020-2021 stats due to COVID closure Re-opened, Re-Building, Re-Imaging! Our office re-opened October 8, 2022
Average online donation
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Children and youth, Adults, Multiracial people, Families, Parents
Related Program
Homework Assistance and Tutoring Programs
Type of Metric
Input - describing resources we use
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Decrease 2020-2021 stats due to COVID closure Re-opened, Re-Building, Re-Imaging! Our office re-opened October 8, 2022
Number of children no longer performing below average academically
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Children and youth, Adults, Families, Parents, Multiracial people
Related Program
Homework Assistance and Tutoring Programs
Type of Metric
Input - describing resources we use
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
Decrease 2020-2021 stats due to COVID closure Re-opened, Re-Building, Re-Imaging! Our office re-opened October 8, 2022
Number of participants who are promoted to the next grade on time
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Children and youth, Multiracial people, People of African descent, People of Asian descent, Families
Related Program
Homework Assistance and Tutoring Programs
Type of Metric
Input - describing resources we use
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
Decrease 2020-2021 stats due to COVID closure Re-opened, Re-Building, Re-Imaging! Our office re-opened October 8, 2022
Number of children who have the ability to use language for expression and to communicate with Others
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Children and youth, Multiracial people, People of African descent, People of Asian descent, Families
Related Program
Homework Assistance and Tutoring Programs
Type of Metric
Context - describing the issue we work on
Direction of Success
Decreasing
Context Notes
Decrease 2020-2021 stats due to COVID closure Re-opened, Re-Building, Re-Imaging! Our office re-opened October 8, 2022
Number of children achieving language and literacy proficiency
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Children and youth, Multiracial people, People of African descent, People of Asian descent, Families
Related Program
Homework Assistance and Tutoring Programs
Type of Metric
Input - describing resources we use
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
Decrease 2020-2021 stats due to COVID closure Re-opened, Re-Building, Re-Imaging! Our office re-opened October 8, 2022
Number of students served who earn passing grades in core subjects
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Homework Assistance and Tutoring Programs
Type of Metric
Input - describing resources we use
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
Decrease 2020-2021 stats due to COVID closure Re-opened, Re-Building, Re-Imaging! Our office re-opened October 8, 2022
Number children performing average or above average academically
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Children and youth, Multiracial people, People of African descent, People of Asian descent, Families
Related Program
Homework Assistance and Tutoring Programs
Type of Metric
Input - describing resources we use
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
Decrease 2020-2021 stats due to COVID closure Re-opened, Re-Building, Re-Imaging! Our office re-opened October 8, 2022
Number of children who have the ability to use eye-hand coordination, strength, and motor control to use age-appropriate tools and utensils effectively
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Children and youth, Families, Parents, Multiracial people, People of African descent
Related Program
Homework Assistance and Tutoring Programs
Type of Metric
Input - describing resources we use
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
Decrease 2020-2021 stats due to COVID closure Re-opened, Re-Building, Re-Imaging! Our office re-opened October 8, 2022
Number of donors retained
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Children and youth, Multiracial people, People of African descent, People of Asian descent, Families
Related Program
Homework Assistance and Tutoring Programs
Type of Metric
Input - describing resources we use
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Re-opened, Re-building and Re-imaging! Our reopened October 8, 2022
Number of new donors
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Children and youth, Multiracial people, People of African descent, People of Asian descent, People of European descent
Related Program
Homework Assistance and Tutoring Programs
Type of Metric
Input - describing resources we use
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
Decrease 2020-2021 stats due to COVID closure Re-opened, Re-Building, Re-Imaging! Our office re-opened October 8, 2022
Number of programs documented
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults, Children and youth, Families, Parents, Multiracial people
Related Program
Free and Personalized Services & Programs
Type of Metric
Input - describing resources we use
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Re-opened, Re-building and Re-imaging! Our Office Reopened October 8, 2023.
Additional revenue and wages generated attributable to the organization's efforts
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults, Children and youth, Families, Parents, Multiracial people
Related Program
Free and Personalized Services & Programs
Type of Metric
Input - describing resources we use
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Re-opened, Re-building, Re-imaging! Our office re-opened October 8, 2022
Total number of ?software and hardware donations made to the sector
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults, Children and youth, Families, Parents, Multiracial people
Related Program
Free and Personalized Services & Programs
Type of Metric
Input - describing resources we use
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Re-opened, Re-Building, Re-Imaging! Our office re-opened October 8, 2022, Computer Recycling of Virginia, Inc. donated 10 HP ProBook laptops. Mobile Citizen and Pc's for People donated also.
Number of individuals applying skills learned through the organization's training
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults, Multiracial people, People of European descent, Parents, Families
Related Program
Free and Personalized Services & Programs
Type of Metric
Input - describing resources we use
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Decrease 2020-2021 stats due to COVID closure Re-opened, Re-Building, Re-Imaging! Our office re-opened October 8, 2022
Number of community initiatives in which the organization participates
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults, Children and youth, Families, Parents, Multiracial people
Related Program
Free and Personalized Services & Programs
Type of Metric
Input - describing resources we use
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Decrease 2020-2021 stats due to COVID closure Re-opened, Re-Building, Re-Imaging! Our office re-opened October 8, 2022
Estimated number of new funding sources secured for the sector
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Children and youth, Families, Parents, Multiracial people, People of African descent
Related Program
Homework Assistance and Tutoring Programs
Type of Metric
Input - describing resources we use
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Decrease 2020-2021 stats due to COVID closure Re-opened, Re-Building, Re-Imaging! Our office re-opened October 8, 2022
Number of multi-year grants received
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults, Children and youth, Families, Parents
Related Program
Homework Assistance and Tutoring Programs
Type of Metric
Input - describing resources we use
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Decrease 2020-2021 stats due to COVID closure Re-opened, Re-Building, Re-Imaging! Our office re-opened October 8, 2022
Our Sustainable Development Goals
Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.
Goals & Strategy
Reports and documents
Download strategic planLearn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
Goal 1.
EDUCATION AND WEALTH BUILDING
MAD4YU management staff will receive annual training in strategic planning, project management, quality assurance/compliance, advocacy, human resource
management/best practices, budgeting, and fiscal management. Five staff will
receive national certification in community action (CCAP), and fifty will participate
in leadership activities in the community (non-profit boards, etc.).
MAD4YU programs work with customers to help them complete their GED, increase their knowledge of computer technology, or otherwise improve their educational status
Goal 2.
ADVOCACY
MAD4YU implements a new database to better track program performance and customer
success. Customer satisfaction levels increase annually. Community partnerships
promote the connection of customers to needed resources.
MAD4YU partners with community organizations, residents, and other stakeholders to pursue advocacy issues that improve the lives of low-income families and individuals.
Goal 3. COMMUNITY ORGANIZING
MAD4YU will facilitate issue forums and educational sessions concerning anti-poverty best practices with community participants. MAD4YU’s research committee produces and circulates positions papers. All MAD4YU staff receives regular updates on pertinent policy issues.
MAD4YU will provide opportunities for youth to increase their community involvement, develop their leadership skills, and participate in other positive youth skills development activities.
MAD4YU will facilitate community projects that increase the quality of life, commercial resources, and/or public safety resources in low-income neighborhoods.
Goal 4
MAD4YU CAPACITY BUILDING
Programs and services offering support to increase the capacity of MAD4YU and its partners to sustain programs, services, and initiatives.
MAD4YU increases fee-for-service revenue and reduces the proportion of its revenues that come from government grants.
Community Newsletter, Annual Report, and Impact Stories
• Branding, Marketing, and Outreach
• Community Action Academy / Technical Assistance
• Community Needs Assessments
• Delegate Agency Program
• Fund and Resource Development
• Partnerships / Coalition Building
• Professional Development
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
The top three challenges to getting out of poverty identified were:
EMPLOYMENT
With recent budget cuts, residents are finding themselves without jobs and unemployment benefits, fewer work hours, and fewer job training and placement opportunities.
EDUCATION
Past challenges have centered on the affordability of post-secondary education. Today, people are concerned that they are being “locked out” of school by decreasing entry slots and class offerings. Getting a degree takes much longer for many people, especially the poor, who rely on public higher education.
SOCIAL SERVICES
Budget cuts have reduced or eliminated many community services. People are frustrated with not having up-to-date community resource information. “Newly poor” residents do not know where to go to obtain information.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
MAD4YU will address these challenges by strengthening and growing programs in the priority areas, expanding partnerships, and collaborating and implementing continuous best practices.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
https://www.richmond.com/mad4yu-inc/image_d15cf6ee-94b1-11ea-81d4-ef2593238dff.html
Senator Mark Warner Letter
Senator Letter Cover
Congratulations to these 2019 Allen & Allen Hometown Heroes in
the Richmond area:
https://www.allenandallen.com/announcing-2019-hometown-heroes/
The founder and president of Making a Difference For You, Gail Crawford, provides life enrichment services to underprivileged families.
Boomer Magazine February-March 2019 Edition
https://www.mad4yuinc.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/BoomerMagazine-1.jpg
https://www.richmond.com/mad4yu-inc/image_d15cf6ee-94b1-11ea-81d4-ef2593238dff.html
Senator Mark Warner Letter
Senator Letter Cover
Congratulations to these 2019 Allen & Allen Hometown Heroes in
the Richmond area:
https://www.allenandallen.com/announcing-2019-hometown-heroes/
The founder and president of Making a Difference For You, Gail Crawford, provides life enrichment services to underprivileged families.
Boomer Magazine February-March 2019 Edition
https://www.mad4yuinc.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/BoomerMagazine-1.jpg
Connect VA Spotlight -November 2018
https://www.connectva.org/connectva-spotlight-gail-crawford-making-a-difference-for-you-mad4yu/
Henrico Citizen - October 2018
Difference-maker: Henrico nonprofit living up to its name
https://www.henricocitizen.com/articles/difference-maker-henrico-nonprofit-living-up-to-its-name/
https://www.richmond.com/mad4yu-inc/image_d15cf6ee-94b1-11ea-81d4-ef2593238dff.html
Senator Mark Warner Letter
Senator Letter Cover
Congratulations to these 2019 Allen & Allen Hometown Heroes in
the Richmond area:
https://www.allenandallen.com/announcing-2019-hometown-heroes/
The founder and president of Making a Difference For You, Gail Crawford, provides life enrichment services to underprivileged families.
Boomer Magazine February-March 2019 Edition
Connect VA Spotlight
https://www.connectva.org/connectva-spotlight-gail-crawford-making-a-difference-for-you-mad4yu/
Henrico Citizen:
Gail Crawford, founder of Making a Difference for You.
Source: Difference-maker: Henrico nonprofit living up to its name
MAD4YU as Featured in WRIC’s “Positively Richmond” Segment:
MAD4YU) HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — If you stop by the Making a Difference for You (MAD4YU) office on East Parham Road, you will see a connection between volunteers and students of all ages who need a little help getting past a plateau.” We are here because we truly want to make an impact on the community,” says Gail Crawford, the President and Founder of MAD4YU.
NBC12 Acts of Kindness
http://www.nbc12.com/Clip/13704008/students-of-all-ages-helped-by-honoree#.WbiX14DDshc.email
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
-
Who are the people you serve with your mission?
To strengthen the Greater Richmond area, surrounding counties, and their communities by providing computer literacy and study skills to low-income families, adults, and active senior citizens, resulting in: increased job readiness, reduced dropout rates, reduced homelessness, and increased independence.
-
How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve, To understand people's needs and how we can help them achieve their goals
-
What significant change resulted from feedback?
Making a Difference for You recognizes the importance of offering educational and technological services that are both free and also readily available to our community. Our programs provide opportunities for community members to use computers with internet access to search for jobs and become more aware of potential employers in the area who are currently hiring. Our facility also offers free tutoring to our community members. These programs include training for mathematics, reading, writing, science, and foreign language, and these programs are available for children as well as adults.
-
Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
We take steps to get feedback from marginalized or under-represented people, We aim to collect feedback from as many people we serve as possible, We take steps to ensure people feel comfortable being honest with us, We look for patterns in feedback based on demographics (e.g., race, age, gender, etc.), We look for patterns in feedback based on people’s interactions with us (e.g., site, frequency of service, etc.), We engage the people who provide feedback in looking for ways we can improve in response, We act on the feedback we receive, We tell the people who gave us feedback how we acted on their feedback
-
What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
We don't have any major challenges to collecting feedback
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Making A Difference For You, Inc.
Board of directorsas of 03/10/2023
Ms. Gail Crawford
Making a Difference for You Inc
Term: 2013 - 2020
Mr. Malik Walker
Making A Difference For You Inc.
Term: 2013 -
Malik Walker
Ethan Evans
Fatimah Evans
Lorna Longs
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
-
Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Not applicable -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Yes
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
The organization's co-leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
Gender identity
Sexual orientation
Disability
No data
Equity strategies
Last updated: 03/24/2021GuideStar partnered with Equity in the Center - an organization that works to shift mindsets, practices, and systems to increase racial equity - to create this section. Learn more
- We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization.
- We engage everyone, from the board to staff levels of the organization, in race equity work and ensure that individuals understand their roles in creating culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.